Magnesium Deficiency: How to Fight Against it

Magnesium is essential to the human
body; in fact, it is needed for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body,
these include:

It helps convert the food into energy.

It helps protein formation from amino acids.

Helps in DNA and RNA build and repair

It is a critical component for muscle contraction and relaxation; this includes maintaining a healthy heartbeat.

It helps regulate the neurotransmitters that help sends signals throughout the nervous system and into the brain.

There are a lot of other good
reasons why it is essential to maintain a good level of magnesium in the body.

What is magnesium deficiency?

Magnesium deficiency or
hypomagnesemia is a condition where a person is experiencing below the normal
value of magnesium, where the normal value is 1.5-2.5 mEq/L. Since magnesium is
critical to human function, individuals with hypomagnesemia may experience the
following:

Early signs of hypomagnesemia:

nausea

Vomiting

Fatigue and muscle weakness; which is often a problem for most working adults.

Loss of appetite

Progressive signs of hypomagnesemia

Concurrent muscle twitching, tremors, and cramps.

Hypocalcemia (low calcium level)

Hypokalemia (low potassium level)

Tingling or numbness throughout the extremities

Seizures

Asthma

Irregular heartbeat

Apathy, which is characterized by a lack of emotion or mental numbness, and in the worst case of hypomagnesemia it could lead to delirium and coma.

Long-term or prolonged hypomagnesemia:

Heart problem

High blood pressure

Diabetes (Type 2)

Osteoporosis

The worst part is magnesium
deficiency is it is one of the electrolyte problems that are often overlooked.

Typically, magnesium deficiency or
hypomagnesemia is treated through magnesium supplement and increase dietary
magnesium intake. The following are the top magnesium-rich foods that you
should consider adding on your diet:

Spinach – The dark and leafy green is rich in nutrients; one cup of boiled spinach contains 157 mg of magnesium.

Avocados –A medium of avocado contains 58 mg of magnesium, which is 15 percent of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI).

Nuts – Including almonds, cashews, and more, are significantly high in magnesium; for 28 grams of cashew nuts, it contains 82 mg of magnesium, which is 20 percent of the Recommended Dietary Intake.

Whole grains – This includes barley, wheat, oats, and more; whole grains are high in magnesium, where 28 grams of whole grain contains 65 mg of magnesium.

Bottom line

If you are one of many people who
are having a hard time recovering from stress and fatigue, and you are
experiencing the aforementioned signs and symptoms, you should have your
magnesium level checked. Magnesium is an essential electrolyte in the body; low
levels of it can cause various health problems.